Abstract

HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF WILDLIFE 2019, VOL. 24, NO. 4, 395–399 https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2019.1610815 Snow leopard stewardship in mitigating human–wildlife conflict in Hemis National Park, Ladakh, India a b Aishwarya Maheshwari and Sambandam Sathyakumar Department of Wildlife Sciences, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India; Endangered Species Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India KEYWORDS TS: Snow leopard; human-wildlife conflict; ecotourism; livelihood; India Introduction Among large predators, snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and co-predators (e.g., wolves Canis lupus, lynx Lynx lynx) often cause economic losses, engendering animosity from local communities in the mountain ecosystem across south and central Asia (Din et al., 2017; Jackson & Lama, 2016; Maheshwari, Takpa, Kujur, & Shawl, 2010; Schaller, 2012). These economic losses range from around US $50 to nearly $300 per household, a significant sum given per capita annual incomes of $250–400 (Jackson & Wangchuk, 2004; Mishra, 1997). Recent efforts such as improved livestock husbandry practices (predator-proof livestock corrals – closed night shelters with covered roof with wire- mesh and a closely fitting iron or wooden door that can be securely locked at night) and community-based ecotourism (e.g., home stays, guides, porters, pack animals, campsites) are providing alternative livelihood opportunities and mitigating